Wagering Game Having a Free-Play Bonus With a Variable Free-Play Retriggering Condition

ABSTRACT

A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a gaming system having a wager input device for receiving a wager from a player, a display configured to display a wagering game, a memory device, and a processor communicatively coupled to the display, the wager input device, and the memory device. The processor is configured to determine a retrigger condition for a wagering game feature, conduct the wagering game feature, determine if the retrigger condition for the wagering game feature was satisfied during play of the wagering game feature, and conduct another wagering game feature if the first retrigger condition was satisfied during play of the wagering game feature, the another wagering game feature having the same game format as the wagering game feature. The processor is also configured to determine another retrigger condition for the another wagering game feature, the another retrigger condition being different than the first retrigger condition.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from common subject matter inProvisional Application No. 61/261,088 filed Nov. 13, 2009 to the sameinventor. That application is hereby incorporated by reference.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patentdisclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patentfiles or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a gaming apparatus andmethods for playing wagering games, and more particularly, to a gamingapparatus and methods for playing wagering games comprising bonus games,and still more particularly, to a gaming apparatus and methods forplaying wagering games comprising progressive games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gaming terminals, such as slot machines, video poker machines and thelike, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years.Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent onthe likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machineand the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to otheravailable gaming options.

Some conventional gaming terminals include “free spin” type games inwhich a triggering event (e.g., mystery or symbol trigger) triggers abonus/secondary feature including a series of free spins of the samereels or bonus reels. In some gaming terminals, the free spin series arere-triggered by a fixed retrigger condition that occurs during theinitial series of free spins, the occurrence of the same retriggercondition causing an additional series of free spins to be added to thetotal number of free spins.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming system forconducting a wagering game includes a gaming system having a wager inputdevice for receiving a wager from a player, a display configured todisplay a wagering game, a memory device, and a processorcommunicatively coupled to the display, the wager input device, and thememory device. The processor is configured to determine a retriggercondition for a wagering game feature, conduct the wagering gamefeature, determine if the retrigger condition for the wagering gamefeature was satisfied during play of the wagering game feature, andconduct another wagering game feature if the first retrigger conditionwas satisfied during play of the wagering game feature, the anotherwagering game feature having the same game format as the wagering gamefeature. The processor is also configured to determine another retriggercondition for the another wagering game feature, the another retriggercondition being different than the first retrigger condition.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a gaming devicecomprises a wager input device for receiving a wager from a player, adisplay configured to display a wagering game, a memory device and aprocessor communicatively coupled to the display, the wager inputdevice, and the memory device. The processor is configured to performfunctions comprising determining a first retrigger condition for a firstwagering game feature, conducting the first wagering game feature,determining if the retrigger condition for the first wagering gamefeature was satisfied during play of the first wagering game feature,conducting a second wagering game feature subsequent to completion ofthe first wagering game feature following at least one occurrence of thefirst retrigger condition during play of the first wagering gamefeature, the second wagering game feature having the same game format asthe first wagering game feature, and determining a second retriggercondition for the second wagering game feature, the second retriggercondition being different than the first retrigger condition.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of conducting awagering game comprises using a wager input device to accept a playerwager and to transform the player wager into an electronic data signalindicative of the wager, using a user interface device to accept aplayer input, using at least one processor to conduct a wagering gameand to display on a display a randomly determined outcome, and using theat least one processor, or another processor, to execute a storedinstruction set. The processor, upon execution of the instruction set,performs the acts of triggering a first wagering game feature responsiveto at least one predetermined randomly determined outcome in thewagering game, determining a first retrigger condition for a firstwagering game feature, conducting the first wagering game feature,determining if the first retrigger condition for the first wagering gamefeature was satisfied during play of the first wagering game feature,conducting a second wagering game feature subsequent to completion ofthe first wagering game feature following at least one occurrence of thefirst retrigger condition during play of the first wagering gamefeature, the second wagering game feature having the same game format asthe first wagering game feature, and determining a second retriggercondition for the second wagering game feature, the second retriggercondition being different than the first retrigger condition.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of conducting awagering game on a wagering game terminal comprises the acts ofconducting a base wagering game on the wagering game terminal,satisfying a precondition for entry into a wagering game feature duringthe act of conducting the base wagering game, randomly determining,prior to conducting the wagering game feature, a retrigger conditionfrom amongst a plurality of available retrigger conditions. The methodfurther includes conducting the wagering game feature, determining ifthe randomly determined retrigger condition for the wagering gamefeature was satisfied during play of the wagering game feature, andrandomly determining, prior to conducting another wagering game featurehaving the same game format as the wagering game feature, anotherretrigger condition from amongst the plurality of available retriggerconditions, the another retrigger condition being different than theretrigger condition.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, computer readablestorage media is encoded with instructions for directing a gaming systemto perform the above methods.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided acomputer program product comprising a computer readable medium having aninstruction set borne thereby. The instruction set is configured tocause, upon execution by a controller, the acts of conducting a basewagering game on a wagering game terminal, determining whether or not aprecondition for entry into a wagering game feature was satisfied inconnection with the conduct of the base wagering game, randomlydetermining using the controller, prior to conducting the wagering gamefeature, a retrigger condition from amongst a plurality of availableretrigger conditions, and conducting the wagering game feature on thewagering game terminal. The instruction set is configured to cause, uponexecution by a controller (e.g., the same controller or anothercontroller), the acts of determining using the controller whether or notthe randomly determined retrigger condition for the wagering gamefeature was satisfied during play of the wagering game feature andrandomly determining using the controller, prior to conducting anotherwagering game feature having the same game format as the wagering gamefeature, another retrigger condition from amongst the plurality ofavailable retrigger conditions, the another retrigger condition beingdifferent than the first retrigger condition.

Additional aspects of the invention will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of variousembodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a briefdescription of which is provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a free-standing gaming terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a gaming system according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an image of an exemplary basic-game screen of a wagering gamedisplayed on a gaming terminal.

FIG. 4 is a depiction of a screen showing a triggering conditiontriggering the start of a free spin bonus game in accord with aspects ofthe present concepts.

FIG. 5 is a depiction of a screen introducing a first free spin bonusgame and a first challenge in accord with aspects of the presentconcepts.

FIG. 6 is a depiction of a screen just prior to initiation of the firstfree spin bonus game in accord with aspects of the present concepts.

FIG. 7 is a depiction of an intermediate stage of the first free spinbonus game wherein the first challenge is satisfied in accord withaspects of the present concepts.

FIG. 8 is a depiction of another intermediate stage of the first freespin bonus game in accord with aspects of the present concepts.

FIG. 9 is a depiction of an end of the first free spin bonus game inaccord with aspects of the present concepts.

FIG. 10 is a depiction of a screen introducing a second free spin bonusgame and a second challenge in accord with aspects of the presentconcepts.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for an algorithm that corresponds to instructionsexecuted by a controller in accord with at least some aspects of thedisclosed concepts.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. Itshould be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to belimited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broadaspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a gaming terminal 10 similar tothose used in gaming establishments, such as casinos. With regard to thepresent invention, the gaming terminal 10 may be any type of gamingterminal and may have varying structures and methods of operation. Inone implementation, the BLUEBIRD®2 gaming terminal, manufactured by WMSGaming of Waukegan, Ill., may be used. In some aspects, the gamingterminal 10 is be an electromechanical gaming terminal configured toplay mechanical slots, whereas in other aspects, the gaming terminal isan electronic gaming terminal configured to play a video casino game,such as slots, keno, poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, etc. It shouldbe understood that although the gaming terminal 10 is shown as afree-standing terminal of the upright type, the gaming terminal isreadily amenable to implementation in a wide variety of other forms suchas a free-standing terminal of the slant-top type, a portable orhandheld device primarily used for gaming, such as is disclosed by wayof example in PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2007/000792 filed Jan.26, 2007, titled “Handheld Device for Wagering Games,” which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety, a mobiletelecommunications device such as a mobile telephone or personal digitalassistant (PDA), a counter-top or bar-top gaming terminal, or otherpersonal electronic device, such as a portable television, MP3 player,entertainment device, etcetera.

The gaming terminal 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a cabinet orhousing 12. For output devices, this embodiment of the gaming terminal10 includes a primary display area 14, a secondary display area 16, andone or more audio speakers 18. The primary display area 14 and/orsecondary display area 16 variously displays information associated withwagering games, non-wagering games, community games, progressives,advertisements, services, premium entertainment, text messaging, emails,alerts or announcements, broadcast information, subscriptioninformation, etc. appropriate to the particular mode(s) of operation ofthe gaming terminal. For input devices, the gaming terminal 10illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a bill validator 20, a coin acceptor 22,one or more information readers 24, one or more player-input devices 26,and one or more player-accessible ports 28 (e.g., an audio output jackfor headphones, a video headset jack, a wireless transmitter/receiver,etc.). While these typical components found in the gaming terminal 10are described below, it should be understood that numerous otherperipheral devices and other elements exist and are readily utilizablein any number of combinations to create various forms of a gamingterminal in accord with the present concepts.

The primary display area 14 include, in various aspects of the presentconcepts, a mechanical-reel display, a video display, or a combinationthereof in which a transmissive video display is disposed in front ofthe mechanical-reel display to portray a video image in superpositionover the mechanical-reel display. Further information concerning thelatter construction is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,433 to Loose etal. entitled “Reel Spinning Slot Machine With Superimposed Video Image,”which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The videodisplay is, in various embodiments, a cathode ray tube (CRT), ahigh-resolution liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, a lightemitting diode (LED), a DLP projection display, an electroluminescent(EL) panel, or any other type of display suitable for use in the gamingterminal 10, or other form factor, such as is shown by way of example inFIG. 1. The primary display area 14 includes, in relation to manyaspects of wagering games conducted on the gaming terminal 10, one ormore paylines 30 (see FIG. 3) extending along a portion of the primarydisplay area. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the primarydisplay area 14 comprises a plurality of mechanical reels 32 and a videodisplay 34, such as a transmissive display (or a reflected imagearrangement in other embodiments), in front of the mechanical reels 32.If the wagering game conducted via the gaming terminal 10 relies uponthe video display 34 only and not the mechanical reels 32, themechanical reels 32 are optionally removed from the interior of theterminal and the video display 34 is advantageously of anon-transmissive type. Similarly, if the wagering game conducted via thegaming terminal 10 relies only upon the mechanical reels 32, but not thevideo display 34, the video display 34 depicted in FIG. 1 is replacedwith a conventional glass panel. Further, in still other embodiments,the video display 34 is disposed to overlay another video display,rather than a mechanical-reel display, such that the primary displayarea 14 includes layered or superimposed video displays. In yet otherembodiments, the mechanical-reel display of the above-noted embodimentsis replaced with another mechanical or physical member or members suchas, but not limited to, a mechanical wheel (e.g., a roulette game),dice, a pachinko board, or a diorama presenting a three-dimensionalmodel of a game environment.

Video images in the primary display area 14 and/or the secondary displayarea 16 are rendered in two-dimensional (e.g., using Flash Macromedia™)or three-dimensional graphics (e.g., using Renderware™). In variousaspects, the video images are played back (e.g., from a recording storedon the gaming terminal 10), streamed (e.g., from a gaming network), orreceived as a TV signal (e.g., either broadcast or via cable) and suchimages can take different forms, such as animated images,computer-generated images, or “real-life” images, either prerecorded(e.g., in the case of marketing/promotional material) or as livefootage. The format of the video images can include any formatincluding, but not limited to, an analog format, a standard digitalformat, or a high-definition (HD) digital format.

The player-input or user-input device(s) 26 include, by way of example,a plurality of buttons 36 on a button panel, as shown in FIG. 1, amouse, a joy stick, a switch, a microphone, and/or a touch screen 38mounted over the primary display area 14 and/or the secondary displayarea 16 and having one or more soft touch keys 40, as is also shown inFIG. 1. In still other aspects, the player-input devices 26 comprisetechnologies that do not rely upon physical contact between the playerand the gaming terminal, such as speech-recognition technology,gesture-sensing technology, eye-tracking technology, etc. Theplayer-input or user-input device(s) 26 thus accept(s) player input(s)and transforms the player input(s) to electronic data signals indicativeof a player input or inputs corresponding to an enabled feature for suchinput(s) at a time of activation (e.g., pressing a “Max Bet” button orsoft key to indicate a player's desire to place a maximum wager to playthe wagering game). The input(s), once transformed into electronic datasignals, are output to a CPU or controller 42 (see FIG. 2) forprocessing. The electronic data signals are selected from a groupconsisting essentially of an electrical current, an electrical voltage,an electrical charge, an optical signal, an optical element, a magneticsignal, and a magnetic element.

The information reader 24 (or information reader/writer) is preferablylocated on the front of the housing 12 and comprises, in at least someforms, a ticket reader, card reader, bar code scanner, wirelesstransceiver (e.g., RFID, Bluetooth, etc.), biometric reader, orcomputer-readable-storage-medium interface. As noted, the informationreader may comprise a physical and/or electronic writing element topermit writing to a ticket, a card, or computer-readable-storage-medium.The information reader 24 permits information to be transmitted from aportable medium (e.g., ticket, voucher, coupon, casino card, smart card,debit card, credit card, etc.) to the information reader 24 to enablethe gaming terminal 10 or associated external system to access anaccount associated with cashless gaming, to facilitate player trackingor game customization, to retrieve a saved-game state, to store acurrent-game state, to cause data transfer, and/or to facilitate accessto casino services, such as is more fully disclosed, by way of example,in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0045354 entitled “Portable Data Unitfor Communicating With Gaming Machine Over Wireless Link,” which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The noted accountassociated with cashless gaming is, in some aspects of the presentconcepts, stored at an external system 46 (see FIG. 2) as more fullydisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,328 to Holch et al. entitled “CashlessComputerized Video Game System and Method,” which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety, or is alternatively stored directly on theportable storage medium. Various security protocols or features can beused to enhance security of the portable storage medium. For example, insome aspects, the individual carrying the portable storage medium isrequired to enter a secondary independent authenticator (e.g., password,PIN number, biometric, etc.) to access the account stored on theportable storage medium.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the various components of the gaming terminal 10are controlled by one or more processors (e.g., CPU, distributedprocessors, etc.) 42, also referred to herein generally as a controller(e.g., microcontroller, microprocessor, etc.). The controller 42 caninclude any suitable processor(s), such as an Intel® Pentium processor,Intel® Core 2 Duo processor, AMD Opteron™ processor, or UltraSPARC®processor. By way of example, the controller 42 includes a plurality ofmicroprocessors including a master processor, a slave processor, and asecondary or parallel processor. Controller 42, as used herein,comprises any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmwaredisposed in and/or disposed outside of the gaming terminal 10 that isconfigured to communicate with and/or control the transfer of databetween the gaming terminal 10 and a bus, another computer, processor,or device and/or a service and/or a network. The controller 42 comprisesone or more controllers or processors and such one or more controllersor processors need not be disposed proximal to one another and may belocated in different devices and/or in different locations. For example,a first processor is disposed proximate a user interface device (e.g., apush button panel, a touch screen display, etc.) and a second processoris disposed remotely from the first processor, the first and secondprocessors being electrically connected through a network. As anotherexample, the first processor is disposed in a first enclosure (e.g., agaming machine) and a second processor is disposed in a second enclosure(e.g., a server) separate from the first enclosure, the first and secondprocessors being communicatively connected through a network. Thecontroller 42 is operable to execute all of the various gaming methodsand other processes disclosed herein.

To provide gaming functions, the controller 42 executes one or more gameprograms comprising machine-executable instructions stored in localand/or remote computer-readable data storage media (e.g., memory 44 orother suitable storage device). The term computer-readable data storagemedia, or “computer-readable medium,” as used herein refers to anymedia/medium that participates in providing instructions to controller42 for execution. The computer-readable medium comprises, in at leastsome exemplary forms, non-volatile media (e.g., optical disks, magneticdisks, etc.), volatile media (e.g., dynamic memory, RAM), andtransmission media (e.g., coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optics,radio frequency (RF) data communication, infrared (IR) datacommunication, etc). Common forms of computer-readable media include,for example, a hard disk, magnetic tape (or other magnetic medium), a2-D or 3-D optical disc (e.g., a CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), RAM, PROM, EPROM,FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or solid state digital data storagedevice, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer canread. By way of example, a plurality of storage media or devices areprovided, a first storage device being disposed proximate the userinterface device and a second storage device being disposed remotelyfrom the first storage device, wherein a network is connectedintermediate the first one and second one of the storage devices.

Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequences of one or more instructions to controller 42 forexecution. By way of example, the instructions may initially be borne ona data storage device of a remote device (e.g., a remote computer,server, or system). The remote device can load the instructions into itsdynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone line or othercommunication path using a modem or other communication deviceappropriate to the communication path. A modem or other communicationdevice local to the gaming machine 10 or to an external system 46associated with the gaming machine can receive the data on the telephoneline or conveyed through the communication path (e.g., via externalsystems interface 58) and output the data to a bus, which transmits thedata to the system memory 44 associated with the processor 42, fromwhich system memory the processor retrieves and executes theinstructions.

Thus, the controller 42 is able to send and receive data, via carriersignals, through the network(s), network link, and communicationinterface. The data includes, in various examples, instructions,commands, program code, player data, and game data. As to the game data,in at least some aspects of the present concepts, the controller 42 usesa local random number generator (RNG) to randomly generate a wageringgame outcome from a plurality of possible outcomes. Alternatively, theoutcome is centrally determined using either an RNG or pooling scheme ata remote controller included, for example, within the external system46.

As shown in the example of FIG. 2, the controller 42 is coupled to thesystem memory 44. The system memory 44 is shown to comprise a volatilememory (e.g., a random-access memory (RAM)) and a non-volatile memory(e.g., an EEPROM), but optionally includes multiple RAM and multipleprogram memories.

As shown in the example of FIG. 2, the controller 42 is also coupled toa money/credit detector 48. The money/credit detector 48 is configuredto output a signal the controller 42 that money and/or credits have beeninput via one or more value-input devices, such as the bill validator20, coin acceptor 22, or via other sources, such as a cashless gamingaccount, etc. The value-input device(s) is integrated with the housing12 of the gaming terminal 10 and is connected to the remainder of thecomponents of the gaming terminal 10, as appropriate, via a wiredconnection, such as I/O 56, or wireless connection. The money/creditdetector 48 detects the input of valid funds into the gaming terminal 10(e.g., via currency, electronic funds, ticket, card, etc.) via thevalue-input device(s) and outputs a signal to the controller 42 carryingdata regarding the input value of the valid funds. The controller 42extracts the data from these signals from the money/credit detector 48,analyzes the associated data, and transforms the data corresponding tothe input value into an equivalent credit balance that is available tothe player for subsequent wagers on the gaming terminal 10, suchtransforming of the data being effected by software, hardware, and/orfirmware configured to associate the input value to an equivalent creditvalue. Where the input value is already in a credit value form, such asin a cashless gaming account having stored therein a credit value, thewager is simply deducted from the available credit balance.

As seen in FIG. 2, the controller 42 is also connected to, and controls,the primary display area 14, the player-input device(s) 26, and a payoffmechanism 50. The payoff mechanism 50 is operable in response toinstructions from the controller 42 to award a payoff to the player inresponse to certain winning outcomes that occur in the base game, thebonus game(s), or via an external game or event. The payoff is providedin the form of money, credits, redeemable points, advancement within agame, access to special features within a game, services, anotherexchangeable media, or any combination thereof. Although payoffs may bepaid out in coins and/or currency bills, payoffs are alternativelyassociated with a coded ticket (from a ticket printer 52), a portablestorage medium or device (e.g., a card magnetic strip), or aretransferred to or transmitted to a designated player account. The payoffamounts distributed by the payoff mechanism 50 are determined by one ormore pay tables stored in the system memory 44.

Communications between the controller 42 and both the peripheralcomponents of the gaming terminal 10 and the external system 46 occurthrough input/output (I/O) circuit 56, which can include any suitablebus technologies, such as an AGTL+ frontside bus and a PCI backside bus.Although the I/O circuit 56 is shown as a single block, it should beappreciated that the I/O circuit 56 alternatively includes a number ofdifferent types of I/O circuits. Furthermore, in some embodiments, thecomponents of the gaming terminal 10 can be interconnected according toany suitable interconnection architecture (e.g., directly connected,hypercube, etc.).

The I/O circuit 56 is connected to an external system interface orcommunication device 58, which is connected to the external system 46.The controller 42 communicates with the external system 46 via theexternal system interface 58 and a communication path (e.g., serial,parallel, IR, RC, 10bT, near field, etc.). The external system 46includes, in various aspects, a gaming network, other gaming terminals,a gaming server, a remote controller, communications hardware, or avariety of other interfaced systems or components, in any combination.In yet other aspects, the external system 46 may comprise a player'sportable electronic device (e.g., cellular phone, electronic wallet,etc.) and the external system interface 58 is configured to facilitatewireless communication and data transfer between the portable electronicdevice and the controller 42, such as by a near field communication pathoperating via magnetic field induction or a frequency-hopping spreadspectrum RF signals (e.g., Bluetooth, etc.).

The gaming terminal 10 optionally communicates with external system 46(in a wired or wireless manner) such that each terminal operates as a“thin client” having relatively less functionality, a “thick client”having relatively more functionality, or with any range of functionalitytherebetween (e.g., an “intermediate client”). In general, a wageringgame includes an RNG for generating a random number, game logic fordetermining the outcome based on the randomly generated number, and gameassets (e.g., art, sound, etc.) for presenting the determined outcome toa player in an audio-visual manner. The RNG, game logic, and game assetsare contained within the gaming terminal 10 (“thick client” gamingterminal), the external systems 46 (“thin client” gaming terminal), orare distributed therebetween in any suitable manner (“intermediateclient” gaming terminal).

Referring now to FIG. 3, an image of a basic-game screen 60 adapted tobe displayed on the primary display area 14 is illustrated, according toone embodiment of the present invention. A player begins play of a basicwagering game by providing a wager. A player can operate or interactwith the wagering game using the one or more player-input devices 26.The controller 42, the external system 46, or both, in alternativeembodiments, operate(s) to execute a wagering game program causing theprimary display area 14 to display the wagering game that includes aplurality of visual elements.

In accord with various methods of conducting a wagering game on a gamingsystem in accord with the present concepts, the wagering game includes agame sequence in which a player makes a wager, such as through themoney/credit detector 48, touch screen 38 soft key, button panel, or thelike, and a wagering game outcome is associated with the wager. Thewagering game outcome is then revealed to the player in due coursefollowing initiation of the wagering game. The method comprises the actsof conducting the wagering game using a gaming apparatus, such as thegaming terminal 10 depicted in FIG. 1, following receipt of an inputfrom the player to initiate the wagering game. The gaming terminal 10then communicates the wagering game outcome to the player via one ormore output devices (e.g., primary display 14) through the display ofinformation such as, but not limited to, text, graphics, text andgraphics, static images, moving images, etc., or any combinationthereof. In accord with the method of conducting the wagering game, thecontroller 42, which comprises one or more processors, transforms aphysical player input, such as a player's pressing of a “Spin Reels”soft key 84 (see FIG. 3), into an electronic data signal indicative ofan instruction relating to the wagering game (e.g., an electronic datasignal bearing data on a wager amount).

In the aforementioned method, for each data signal, the controller 42 isconfigured to processes the electronic data signal, to interpret thedata signal (e.g., data signals corresponding to a wager input), and tocause further actions associated with the interpretation of the signalin accord with computer instructions relating to such further actionsexecuted by the controller. As one example, the controller 42 causes therecording of a digital representation of the wager in one or morestorage devices (e.g., system memory 44 or a memory associated with anexternal system 46), the controller, in accord with associated computerinstructions, causing the changing of a state of the data storage devicefrom a first state to a second state. This change in state is, forexample, effected by changing a magnetization pattern on a magneticallycoated surface of a magnetic storage device or changing a magnetic stateof a ferromagnetic surface of a magneto-optical disc storage device, achange in state of transistors or capacitors in a volatile or anon-volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., DRAM), etc. The noted secondstate of the data storage device comprises storage in the storage deviceof data representing the electronic data signal from the controller(e.g., the wager in the present example). As another example, thecontroller 42 further, in accord with the execution of the instructionsrelating to the wagering game, causes the primary display 14 or otherdisplay device and/or other output device (e.g., speakers, lights,communication device, etc.), to change from a first state to at least asecond state, wherein the second state of the primary display comprisesa visual representation of the physical player input (e.g., anacknowledgement to a player), information relating to the physicalplayer input (e.g., an indication of the wager amount), a game sequence,an outcome of the game sequence, or any combination thereof, wherein thegame sequence in accord with the present concepts comprises actsdescribed herein. The aforementioned executing of computer instructionsrelating to the wagering game is further conducted in accord with arandom outcome (e.g., determined by the RNG) that is used by thecontroller 42 to determine the outcome of the game sequence, using agame logic for determining the outcome based on the randomly generatednumber. In at least some aspects, the controller 42 is configured todetermine an outcome of the game sequence at least partially in responseto the random parameter.

The basic-game screen 60 is displayed on the primary display area 14 ora portion thereof. In FIG. 3, the basic-game screen 60 portrays aplurality of simulated movable reels 62 a-e. Alternatively oradditionally, the basic-game screen 60 portrays a plurality ofmechanical reels or other video or mechanical presentation consistentwith the game format and theme. The basic-game screen 60 alsoadvantageously displays one or more game-session meters and variousbuttons adapted to be actuated by a player.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the game-session meters includea “credit” meter 64 for displaying a number of credits available forplay on the terminal; a “lines” meter 66 for displaying a number ofpaylines to be played by a player on the terminal; a “line bet” meter 68for displaying a number of credits wagered (e.g., from 1 to 5 or morecredits) for each of the number of paylines played; a “total bet” meter70 for displaying a total number of credits wagered for the particularround of wagering; and a “paid” meter 72 for displaying an amount to beawarded based on the results of the particular round's wager. Thedepicted user-selectable buttons include a “collect” button 74 tocollect the credits remaining in the credits meter 64; a “help” button76 for viewing instructions on how to play the wagering game; a “paytable” button 78 for viewing a pay table associated with the basicwagering game; a “select lines” button 80 for changing the number ofpaylines (displayed in the lines meter 66) a player wishes to play; a“bet per line” button 82 for changing the amount of the wager which isdisplayed in the line-bet meter 68; a “spin reels” button 84 for movingthe reels 62 a-e; and a “max bet spin” button 86 for wagering a maximumnumber of credits and moving the reels 62 a-e of the basic wageringgame. While the gaming terminal 10 allows for these types of playerinputs, the present invention does not require them and can be used ongaming terminals having more, less, or different player inputs.

As shown in the example of FIG. 3, paylines 30 extend from one of thepayline indicators 88 a-i on the left side of the basic-game screen 60to a corresponding one of the payline indicators 88 a-i on the rightside of the screen 60. A plurality of symbols 90 is displayed on theplurality of reels 62 a-e to indicate possible outcomes of the basicwagering game. A winning combination occurs when the displayed symbols90 correspond to one of the winning symbol combinations listed in a paytable stored in the memory 44 of the terminal 10 or in the externalsystem 46. The symbols 90 may include any appropriate graphicalrepresentation or animation, and may further include a “blank” symbol.

Symbol combinations are evaluated in accord with various schemes suchas, but not limited to, “line pays” or “scatter pays.” Line pays areevaluated left to right, right to left, top to bottom, bottom to top, orany combination thereof by evaluating the number, type, or order ofsymbols 90 appearing along an activated payline 30. Scatter pays areevaluated without regard to position or paylines and only require thatsuch combination appears anywhere on the reels 62 a-e. While anembodiment with nine paylines is shown, a wagering game with nopaylines, a single payline, or any plurality of paylines (e.g., 243paylines) will also work with the present invention. Additionally,though an embodiment with five reels is shown in FIG. 3, differentembodiments of the gaming terminal 10 comprise a greater or lessernumber of reels in accordance with the present invention. Further, thegame concepts presented herein may advantageously be implemented acrossdifferent machines in a bank of machines. For example, a plurality ofgaming terminals 10 configured to play a first base wagering game (e.g.,a 25 line game with stacked top award symbols) and a plurality of gamingterminals 10 configured to play a second base wagering game (e.g., a 243line game with multiplying wilds) may share the same bonus game.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an embodiment of the gaming terminal 10 isdepicted wherein the primary display area 14 displays a slot gameentitled “The Godfather.” The game comprises an array of symbolpositions such as, but not limited to, five video reels 62 a-e whereineach reel has a plurality of symbol positions having symbols 90 thereonor associated therewith. Alternatively, for example, each symbolposition could itself comprise a separate reel. In the depicted array ofsymbol positions in FIG. 4, the occurrence of three scattered “TheGodfather” symbols 95 constitutes a “start bonus” outcome entitling theplayer to enter a wagering game feature, such as a free spin bonus game,as described by way of example in greater detail herein. Of course, anysuitable start bonus trigger may be employed in accord with the presentconcepts, such start bonus trigger may comprise any predeterminedtrigger, such as, but not limited to, any single symbol or any pluralsymbols in any predetermined symbol position(s), relation orarrangement. Further, non-symbol related triggering conditions mayoptionally be employed to trigger the free spin bonus game, such as amystery trigger.

FIG. 5 depicts the primary display area 14 displaying a start screen ofthe free spin bonus game in accord with the present concepts, the freespin bonus being triggered, as noted above. As is seen in FIG. 5, theGodfather, Vito Corleone, is shown to say “Bring in Sal Tessio. I wantto talk to him.” Preferably, but not necessarily, an audio clip orsound-alike voice over is provided an auditory accompaniment toaccentuate the theme and presence of the game. FIG. 5 shows apresentation 102 of the rules of the free spin bonus game in accord withaspects of the present concepts, stating in this particular example thatthere are 5 free spins and all wins pay 2×. Naturally, the presentconcepts include other variants, such as variations in the number offree spins for the initial free spin bonus game as well as for anysubsequent, associated free spin bonus game. By way of example, atypical series of free spins will include 5, 10, or 20 free spins, butany number of free spins may be provided. The number of free spins in atleast an initial round of free spins may be fixed or, optionally, may bevariable depending, for example, on a random number generator, aweighted table, or some aspect of game play in the base wagering game orsatisfaction of some condition in the base wagering game.

FIG. 5 further sets forth the first challenge, an initial retriggercondition 105, to the player. If the initial retrigger condition 105 issatisfied during the initial free spin series, the player is awarded anadditional series of free spins. In this example, the initial retriggercondition 105 is any 3, 4 or 5 “Sal Tessio” symbol combination. If theinitial retrigger condition 105 is satisfied, the player is awarded fiveadditional spins in this example. In other variants of the presentconcepts, the number of symbols could influence the number of additionalspins. For example, a three “Sal Tessio” symbol 97 combination may awardfive additional spins, whereas a four “Sal Tessio” symbol 97 combinationmay award ten additional spins, and a five “Sal Tessio” symbol 97combination may award fifteen or more additional spins. In still othervariants, the symbols that are selected for the initial retriggercondition may, in lieu of a fixed symbol combination along a payline,may comprise scattered symbols. Further, in other aspects of the presentconcepts, the initial retrigger condition 105 may comprise a singleoccurrence of a single symbol, such as a “Sal Tessio” symbol 97 or otherobject of the challenge at hand, on any reel or on a particular reel.

The initial retrigger condition 105 or challenge itself and/or anysubsequent challenge or retrigger condition, may be randomly chosen froma weighted probability table, may comprise a pre-programmed sequence ofretrigger conditions, may comprise different probability tables to beused with each occurrence of a particular retrigger condition, or may beweighted or programmed to get progressively more difficult toaccomplish, on average. As to the latter example, by way of example, thechance of successfully satisfying the variable retrigger condition ineach successive round may decrease (e.g., by a fixed percentage, avariable percentage, etc.).

FIG. 6 shows a depiction of a free spin bonus screen on primary displayarea 14 just prior to initiation of the first free spin bonus game. Forthe free spin bonus game, reels 62 a-e are shown and the same basewagering game reels may be used or different reels may be used, eitherin the same position as the base wagering game reels (e.g., atraditional video slot display), overlaying the base wagering game reels(e.g., a transmissive display), or in a different location than the basewagering game reels (e.g., a top box display or area display).Additionally, a different number of reels may be used in the wageringgame feature, such as the free spin bonus game, than is used in the basewagering game. For example, four reels or six reels may be used.

As noted above, in this example, the initial retrigger conditionrequires the player to obtain a combination of 3, 4, or 5 “Sal Tessio”symbols. If, during the five free spins, the player obtains 3, 4, or 5“Sal Tessio” symbols 97, the player is awarded, subsequent to completionof the first series of free spins, five additional free spins. Further,the player is presented with another challenge or stated differently,the variable retrigger condition is again randomly redetermined in somemanner. As is shown by way of example in the banner 100 at the top ofFIG. 6, the game preferably displays the current retrigger condition,such as the initial retrigger condition in FIG. 6, prior to andthroughout the series of free spins in the free spin bonus, at leastuntil the retrigger condition is satisfied. For clarity, the particularsymbol 90, here the “Sal Tessio” symbol 97, that is the object of thechallenge is embedded in the banner 100.

FIG. 7 depicts the primary display area 14 following the execution ofthe first two free spins, as is indicated by the “Spins Remaining”counter 110 showing “3” at the bottom of the screen. As shown in FIG. 7,a payline 32 passes through a “Sal Tessio” symbol 97 on reel 62 a, a“Sal Tessio” symbol 97 on reel 62 b, a “Sal Tessio” symbol 97 on reel 62c, a “Luca Brasi” symbol 99 on reel 62 d, and a “Godfather Logo” 85 onreel 62 e. FIG. 7 shows the primary display area 14 depicting a payline32 passing through the five reels 62 a-e indicating the combination ofsymbols 90 (here the “Sal Tessio” symbols 97) comprises a winningoutcome in this wagering game feature. A banner 120 also indicates “SalTessio Found!” with a corresponding presentation of the corresponding“Sal Tessio” symbol 97. The “Win” meter 115 shows that, during the freespin bonus, the player has been awarded 720 credits.

FIG. 8 shows the primary display area 14 following the execution of thelast of the five free spins, as is indicated by the “Spins Remaining”counter 110 showing “0” at the bottom of the screen. As shown in FIG. 8,a payline 32 passes through a “Sal Tessio” symbol 97 on reel 62 a, a“Sal Tessio” symbol 97 on reel 62 b, a “Sal Tessio” symbol 97 on reel 62c, a “Godfather Logo” 85 on reel 62 d, and a “Luca Brasi” symbol 80 onreel 62 e. A banner 120 indicates “Sal Tessio Found! ×2” with acorresponding presentation of the corresponding “Sal Tessio” symbol 97,indicating that the Sal Tessio challenge has been met twice. The “Win”meter 115 shows that, thus far during the free spin bonus, the playerhas been awarded 1420 credits. FIG. 9 shows the primary display area 14further to the screen shown in FIG. 8, a banner 122 indicating “TaskComplete ×2” with a corresponding presentation of the “Sal Tessio”symbol 97, together with an indicated award of “860 credits” for thetwice-met satisfaction of the challenge. The “Win” meter 115 is updatedin FIG. 9 to show the addition of the challenge award and indicates awin in the first challenge of “2280 credits”.

FIG. 10 depicts the primary display area 14 displaying a start screen ofa second free spin bonus game, triggered by successful completion of thefirst challenge in the first free spin bonus game. FIG. 10 shows thatthe “Credits” meter 150 has been updated to add the 2280 credits fromthe first challenge to yield a total of “4252” credits. As is seen inFIG. 10, the Godfather, Vito Corleone, is shown to say “I'm hungry.Bring me some cannoli.” Preferably, but not necessarily, an audio clipor sound-alike voice over is provided an auditory accompaniment toaccentuate the theme and presence of the game. FIG. 10 shows apresentation 102 of the rules of the second free spin bonus game inaccord with aspects of the present concepts, stating in this particularexample that there are 5 free spins and all wins pay 3×. In accord withat least some aspects of the present concepts, the multiplier optionallyincreases with each round in the free spin bonus. In accord with otheraspects, the multiplier in each round of the free spin bonus mayoptionally be determined by a random number generator or a weightedtable or may be influenced by the degree of success in a preceding freespin bonus challenge or satisfaction of some other condition (e.g.,accumulated credits, occurrence of a particular symbol, symbols, orcombination, etc.).

FIG. 10 further sets forth the second challenge or the new retriggercondition 105 to the player wherein, if the second retrigger conditionis satisfied during the second free spin series, the player is awardedyet another series of free spins. In this example, the new retriggercondition 105 is that any 4 or 5 “Cannoli” symbol 107 combination willtrigger another wagering game feature, in this case a free spin bonusthat awards the player five additional spins. A greater or lesser numberof free spins is contemplated as being within the scope of the presentconcepts include, as are greater or lesser multipliers. The number offree spins in the second or any subsequent round of free spins in thefree spin bonus may optionally be influenced by the degree of success inthe preceding free spin bonus challenge or satisfaction of some othercondition (e.g., accumulated credits, occurrence of a particular symbol,symbols, or combination, etc.) in the preceding free spin bonus game.Alternatively, the number of free spins may be determined by a randomnumber generator or a weighted table. As to the selection of thechallenge or retrigger condition that will be presented to the playerfor a particular free spin bonus game, the challenge or retriggercondition is, in at least some aspects, chosen from a weighted table,wherein at least some different challenge or retrigger conditions havedifferent probabilities. In accord with such aspects, each round mayoptionally comprise a different weighted table. In still other aspectsof the present concepts, the selection of the challenge or retriggercondition for a particular free spin bonus game may be randomlydetermined from amongst equally weighted options.

Thus, should the player successfully achieve a 4 or 5 “Cannoli” symbol107 combination, the player will be presented with yet another challengein which the variable bonus retrigger condition is again changed for thesubsequent series of free spins. As noted above, the reels symbols forthe free spin bonus game may be the same as that used for the basewagering game reels or may be different, and may alternatively bedifferent in number as well. In particular, the reels and/or symbolsused in the free spin bonus game may either the same as or differentthan that used in the base wagering game or in any preceding challenge.Accordingly, each challenge presented to the player may optionallycomprise unique symbols and/or graphics particular to the particularchallenge facing the player.

FIGS. 5-10 thus show an example of the determining of a retriggercondition for a wagering game feature (FIG. 5), conducting of thewagering game feature (FIGS. 6-9), determining if the retriggercondition for the wagering game feature was satisfied during play of thewagering game feature (satisfied in FIG. 8), and conducting anotherwagering game feature if the first retrigger condition was satisfiedduring play of the wagering game feature, the another wagering gamefeature having the same game format as the wagering game feature (FIG.10 being the start screen), and determining another retrigger conditionfor the another wagering game feature, the another retrigger conditionbeing different than the first retrigger condition (FIG. 10). By format,it is meant that the type of game is the same (e.g., free spins), butthere could be differences (e.g., number of free spins, number of reels,numbers of symbol positions on reels, composition of symbols on reels,etc.). It is not necessary that the theme or background of the wageringgame features remain the same and the theme or background of thewagering game features may be advantageously configured to varyautomatically, vary responsive to a random event, or even varyresponsive to a player selection or command. For example, the theme(e.g., Godfather) may remain as a constant throughout successivewagering game features, but the background imagery and/or one or morereel symbols may changed in different wagering game features.Alternatively, the theme of the wagering game feature is optionallychanged without changing the underlying functionality of the wageringgame feature.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for an algorithm that corresponds to instructionsexecuted by a controller in accord with at least some aspects of thedisclosed concepts, as described above. In act A100, the game systemchecks to determine if a pre-determined bonus trigger condition in basewagering game has been satisfied, such as the occurrence of three “TheGodfather” symbols in the example of FIG. 4. In act A110, the gamesystem determines the retrigger condition for the first round of thebonus game. In the example of FIG. 5, the game system determined thatthe retrigger condition to activate a second round of the bonus gamewould be the occurrence of 3, 4, or 5 “Sal Tessio” symbols within thefive allotted free spins. In act A120, the game system conducts thebonus game in accord with the determined retrigger condition. Forsimplicity, the conduct of individual free spins is not shown. Duringthe conduct of the free spins, or at least upon completion of the firstround of the bonus game, the game system determines in act A130 if theretrigger condition for the bonus game has been satisfied. If theretrigger condition for the bonus game has been satisfied, controlpasses back to act A110, wherein the game system determines theretrigger condition for the next (e.g., second) round of the bonus game.Once, in a given round of free spins it is determined that the retriggercondition has not been satisfied for the preceding free spins, the bonusgame ends in act A140.

Although the basic game and the bonus game described herein are bothslot games, various other games may be played in accordance with thepresent invention. For example, the basic game comprise games such asvideo poker, keno, blackjack, or roulette. All that is preferred is thegame have at least bonus trigger outcome that causes entry by the playerinto a free spin bonus game in accord with the concepts describedherein. Further, other variants of the present concepts are alsocontemplated, wherein the “free spin” bonus game instead is presented asa “free card” or “free hand” card game wherein the challenge is to draw,from five dealt hands of cards, a predetermined hand, suit, rank,symbol, or the like, wherein satisfaction of the challenge leads toadditional, different challenges in accord with a variable retriggercondition. In still further alternative aspects, player-selectableobjects may be presented to permit a player to interact with andinfluence the free spin bonus game. For example, a player may bepermitted to select a player-selectable element from a displayed fieldof player-selectable elements, wherein the selected player-selectableelement reveals an associated number of additional spins that will beawarded if the player successfully completes the challenge (e.g., 5, 10,15, etc.) or reveals an associated number of symbols or a particulartype that will satisfy the challenge at hand (e.g., 3/4/5 combination,4/5 combination, etc.).

Still further, in accord with the present concepts, one or moreeligibility constraints may be imposed to enable the disclosed bonusgame having a variable retrigger. For example, the player may berequired to place a minimum wager in the base wagering game (e.g., a MaxBet wager, a wager that covers all paylines, etc.).

Although described herein in relation to as a bonus game forillustrative purposes, the present concepts are not limited to a bonusgame, per se, and are applicable to game features conducted in a basewagering game and other aspects of wagering game play including, but notlimited to, bonus games.

The variable retrigger conditions need not be determined in the samemanner in successive wagering game features. For example, a firstretrigger condition may be determined randomly, whereas a secondretrigger condition may be determined by using a weighted table. Thepresent concepts include any manner of selecting the variable retriggercondition, such as those set forth by way of example above and othermethods, such as player selection of a player-selectable element from afield of player-selectable elements, the player-selectable elements eachbeing associated with a variable retrigger condition that is initiallyconcealed from a player until the player's selection of aplayer-selectable element, contemporaneously therewith the associationof at least the selected player-selectable element being revealed to theplayer.

Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplatedas falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, whichis set forth in the following claims. As one example, wherefunctionality of a processor or controller is recited, suchfunctionality may be distributed amongst any number of processors orcontrollers, wherever located locally or remotely, without limitation.

1. A gaming system comprising: a wager input device for receiving awager from a player; a display configured to display a wagering game; amemory device; and a processor communicatively coupled to the display,the wager input device, and the memory device, the processor beingconfigured to: determine a retrigger condition for a wagering gamefeature; conduct the wagering game feature; determine if the retriggercondition for the wagering game feature was satisfied during play of thewagering game feature; conduct another wagering game feature if thefirst retrigger condition was satisfied during play of the wagering gamefeature, the another wagering game feature having the same game formatas the wagering game feature; and determine another retrigger conditionfor the another wagering game feature, the another retrigger conditionbeing different than the first retrigger condition.
 2. The gaming systemof claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to randomly determine atleast one of the retrigger condition and the another retriggercondition.
 3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the processor isconfigured to randomly determine at least one of the retrigger conditionand the another retrigger condition by random selection from a weightedprobability table.
 4. The gaming system of claim 3, wherein theprocessor is configured to randomly determine the retrigger conditionand the another retrigger condition for the wagering game feature byusing different weighted probability tables.
 5. The gaming system ofclaim 1, wherein a probability of achieving the another retriggercondition in the another wagering game feature is lower than aprobability of achieving the retrigger condition in the wagering gamefeature.
 6. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the wagering gamefeature and the another wagering game feature each comprise a pluralityof free spins of symbol-bearing reels.
 7. The gaming system of claim 1,wherein at least one of the retrigger condition and the anotherretrigger condition comprises an occurrence of a particular symbol orsymbol combination in a free spin of a plurality of reels.
 8. A gamingdevice comprising: a wager input device for receiving a wager from aplayer; a display configured to display a wagering game; a memorydevice; and a processor communicatively coupled to the display, thewager input device, and the memory device, the processor beingconfigured to: determine a first retrigger condition for a firstwagering game feature; conduct the first wagering game feature;determine if the retrigger condition for the first wagering game featurewas satisfied during play of the first wagering game feature; conduct asecond wagering game feature subsequent to completion of the firstwagering game feature following at least one occurrence of the firstretrigger condition during play of the first wagering game feature, thesecond wagering game feature having the same game format as the firstwagering game feature; and determine a second retrigger condition forthe second wagering game feature, the second retrigger condition beingdifferent than the first retrigger condition.
 9. The gaming device ofclaim 8, wherein the processor is configured to randomly determine atleast one of the first retrigger condition and the second retriggercondition.
 10. The gaming device of claim 8, wherein the processor isconfigured to randomly determine at least one of the first retriggercondition and the second retrigger condition by random selection from aweighted probability table.
 11. The gaming device of claim 10, whereinthe processor is configured to randomly determine the first retriggercondition and the second retrigger condition for the wagering gamefeature by using different weighted probability tables.
 12. The gamingdevice of claim 8, wherein a probability of achieving the secondretrigger condition in the second wagering game feature is lower than aprobability of achieving the first retrigger condition in the firstwagering game feature.
 13. A method of conducting a wagering gamecomprising the acts of: using a wager input device to accept a playerwager and to transform the player wager into an electronic data signalindicative of the wager; using a user interface device to accept aplayer input; using at least one processor to conduct a wagering gameand to display on a display a randomly determined outcome; using the atleast one processor, or another processor, to execute a storedinstruction set and perform the acts of: triggering a first wageringgame feature responsive to at least one predetermined randomlydetermined outcome in the wagering game; determining a first retriggercondition for a first wagering game feature; conducting the firstwagering game feature; determining if the first retrigger condition forthe first wagering game feature was satisfied during play of the firstwagering game feature; conducting a second wagering game featuresubsequent to completion of the first wagering game feature following atleast one occurrence of the first retrigger condition during play of thefirst wagering game feature, the second wagering game feature having thesame game format as the first wagering game feature; and determining asecond retrigger condition for the second wagering game feature, thesecond retrigger condition being different than the first retriggercondition.
 14. The method of claim 15, wherein the act of using at leastone of the processors to determine a first retrigger condition for thefirst wagering game feature comprises using the at least one of theprocessors to randomly determine the first retrigger condition, andwherein the act of using at least one of the processors to determine asecond retrigger condition for the second wagering game featurecomprises using the at least one of the processors to randomly determinethe second retrigger condition.
 15. The method of claim 15, wherein theact of using at least one of the processors to determine a firstretrigger condition for the first wagering game feature comprises usingthe at least one of the processors to randomly determine the firstretrigger condition by random selection from a weighted probabilitytable stored in a memory device, and wherein the act of using at leastone of the processors to determine a second retrigger condition for thesecond wagering game feature comprises using the at least one of theprocessors to randomly determine the second retrigger condition byrandom selection from a weighted probability table stored in a memorydevice.
 16. A method of conducting a wagering game on a wagering gameterminal, the method comprising the acts of: conducting a base wageringgame on the wagering game terminal; satisfying a precondition for entryinto a wagering game feature during the act of conducting the basewagering game; randomly determining, prior to conducting the wageringgame feature, a retrigger condition from amongst a plurality ofavailable retrigger conditions; conducting the wagering game feature;determining if the randomly determined retrigger condition for thewagering game feature was satisfied during play of the wagering gamefeature; and randomly determining, prior to conducting another wageringgame feature having the same game format as the wagering game feature,another retrigger condition from amongst the plurality of availableretrigger conditions, the another retrigger condition being differentthan the retrigger condition.
 17. The method of claim 19, wherein theact of randomly determining a retrigger condition from amongst aplurality of available retrigger conditions comprises using a processorto randomly determine the retrigger condition, and wherein the act ofrandomly determining another retrigger condition from amongst theplurality of available retrigger conditions comprises using the sameprocessor or another processor to randomly determine the anotherretrigger condition.
 18. The method of claim 19, wherein the act ofrandomly determining a retrigger condition from amongst a plurality ofavailable retrigger conditions comprises using a processor to randomlydetermine the first retrigger condition by random selection from aweighted probability table stored in a memory device, and wherein theact of randomly determining another retrigger condition from amongst theplurality of available retrigger conditions comprises using the sameprocessor or another processor to randomly determine the anotherretrigger condition by random selection from a weighted probabilitytable stored in the memory device or in another memory device.
 19. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the weighted probability table used todetermine the retrigger condition is different than the weightedprobability table used to determine the another retrigger condition. 20.A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium havingan instruction set borne thereby, the instruction set being configuredto cause, upon execution by a controller, the acts of: conducting a basewagering game on a wagering game terminal; determining whether or not aprecondition for entry into a wagering game feature was satisfied inconnection with the conduct of the base wagering game; randomlydetermining using the controller, prior to conducting the wagering gamefeature, a retrigger condition from amongst a plurality of availableretrigger conditions; conducting the wagering game feature on thewagering game terminal; determining using the controller whether or notthe randomly determined retrigger condition for the wagering gamefeature was satisfied during play of the wagering game feature; andrandomly determining using the controller, prior to conducting anotherwagering game feature having the same game format as the wagering gamefeature, another retrigger condition from amongst the plurality ofavailable retrigger conditions, the another retrigger condition beingdifferent than the first retrigger condition.